Firm Foundation Stalwarts Nelson, Schneekloth ready to play again for Eagles in 2011-12

By Adam Dunivan Sports Writer

Posted:
07/13/2011 11:03:42 PM MDT

Colorado Eagles players Riley Nelson, top right, and Aaron Schneekloth, left, surround Missouri Mavericks goalie Robbie Nolan in a Central Hockey League home playoff game on April 15, 2011. The two players on Wednesday were announced as the first two returners to the team, which will play in the ECHL this coming season.
( Reporter-Herald/Steve Stoner)

The Colorado Eagles are about to enter uncharted waters in 2011-12 as they venture into the ECHL, but at least they'll have their captain and a veteran co-pilot on board when October comes around.

Riley Nelson and Aaron Schneekloth, a pair of the most trusted players Chris Stewart has ever come across, re-signed with the Eagles on Wednesday afternoon to become the first two members of the ECHL-bound squad. The signings create a firm foundation for what is expected to be a mostly new roster with the jump to a new league.

It's an exciting time for Schneekloth, currently visiting his parents in Calgary with a newborn child in tow. After fending off a number of injuries last year, Schneekloth is also looking forward to being on the ice for a full season.

Colorado defenseman Aaron Schneekloth, seen here during a game against Rapid City on Feb. 23, returns to the Eagles after an injury-filled season a year ago. The associate captain played in a career-low 36 games during the regular season but did not miss a single playoff game.
(Reporter-Herald/Steve Stoner)

Multiple dings and dents forced him to miss about half a season's worth of games -- he played in 36 but managed to play every one of Colorado's playoff games in their final run at a Central Hockey League championship.

"I'm real excited to be back and be a part of this team that's going to a new league," he said in a phone interview Wednesday night. "For me personally, with all the injury issues and whatnot, it's gonna be good for me to start the season healthy, and I'm looking to stay that way."

The Eagles can only hope the veteran defenseman does see a full slate once again. Twice named the CHL's Most Outstanding Defenseman, Schneekloth is the team's all-time leading scorer from the blue line with 260 points in 270 games played. But he's much more than that, Nelson said.

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"I know it was a tough year for him, and it seemed just when we were close to getting him back something else came up. But he gave everything he had for us in the playoffs," Nelson said. "He brings that calm to everyone out there on the ice and in that locker room."

Nelson, the team captain for the last two seasons, has many of the same attributes that a coach has to have in his leaders. Quiet, sure, but an explosive player on the ice who is able to direct and inform younger players in practice and in game situations without missing a beat.

Which is why he'll be back for a ninth season with the team -- the only player remaining from the original Eagles expansion team. He enjoys the role he's been given and won't mind if it expands as more young players surround him.

"It is energizing . . . to have the potential of a lot of young guys on our team and around the league who have the drive to want to move up," Nelson said. "The level of play will be a little bit better because there will be players showcasing themselves. I'm looking forward to just passing on some of my experiences to those type of guys and hope it helps them along."

Nelson is on the verge of eclipsing the 700-point plateau with the team, and his first game in the new season will be game No. 500 in a Colorado sweater. For the talented centerman, Colorado was really the only option. The same could be said for Schneekloth.

"I haven't wanted to go anywhere else for a long time now," Nelson said. "I've dedicated the majority of my career to this team, and I want to finish out whatever time I have left here, too."

Added Schneekloth: "You always have to prepare for that chance the team could want to go a different direction, but I expressed to (Stewart) that I wanted to play here and only here. My wife and I moved around my first five seasons in a row. It's been a luxury to be able to stay here."